Training and development crucial to graduate roles

Graduates favour jobs with training and development over higher paid professions, new research has shown.

According to the study compiled by Ernst &Young, more than 40 per cent of university leavers view their career progression as the most important factor when seeking employment.

Less than one-fifth highlighted money as their main motivation and just 16 per cent would opt for a job that allowed for a healthy work/life balance.

Responding to the findings, Stephen Isherwood at Ernst & Young said: "Despite the many concerns students have when thinking about their future employer, it is still critically important for many of them that their new job offers them opportunities to learn, and to develop their own careers."

The statistics also suggested that graduates do not consider the environment when looking for work.

Only three per cent of respondents considered it to be the most important aspect of a potential employer.